Findings from Fiji’s 2025 STEPS survey reveal concerning statistics regarding women’s health, particularly in terms of cancer screenings. The survey indicates that 38.5 percent of women have never received a breast or cervical cancer screening. While 43.7 percent have undergone cervical cancer screening, only a mere 18.9 percent reported having a breast examination conducted by a doctor. Education on self-breast examination is also lacking, with only 39.9 percent of women being aware of this practice.
Dr. Devina Nand, the head of wellness at Fiji’s Ministry of Health and Medical Services, expressed her concern during the launch of the STEPS survey last Friday. She emphasized that the screening rates are significantly below what is necessary to combat the country’s escalating cancer burden. Dr. Nand noted that nearly four in ten women lack access to essential screenings, indicating an urgent need for improved healthcare efforts.
The survey findings showed that screening rates tend to increase with age, with only 17.8 percent of women aged 18 to 29 participating in screenings compared to 64 percent of women aged 45 to 59. The Eastern Division reported the highest cervical screening uptake at 66.9 percent. Despite this, participation in breast screening remains alarmingly low, with just 1.4 percent of women receiving a doctor’s breast screening. Overall, only 11.6 percent of women accessed all three types of screenings: cervical screening, doctor’s breast screening, and education on self-examination.
Dr. Nand emphasized the necessity for greater investment in comprehensive programs targeting both breast and cervical screenings. She highlighted the importance of enhancing awareness campaigns, ensuring better access to screening services, and conducting outreach specifically aimed at younger women who are currently the least likely to participate in screenings.
This survey underscores a significant public health challenge in Fiji, but it also presents an opportunity for the government and health organizations to prioritize women’s health initiatives. By increasing awareness and access to screenings, the potential exists to reduce the incidence of breast and cervical cancer in the long term, ultimately leading to improved health outcomes for women across the nation.
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